The 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě delivered a great weekend of racing, marked by standout performances, dramatic turns, and an electrifying atmosphere that reaffirmed the Czech venue’s legendary status in the mountain biking world.
Elite Men’s Cross-Country (XCO): Blevins’ Back-to-Back Triumph
Christopher Blevins of Specialized Factory Racing showcased exceptional form, clinching his second consecutive XCO victory at Nové Město. Following his third straight short track (XCC) win earlier in the weekend, Blevins overcame a near-crash in lap five to launch a decisive attack in the penultimate lap, finishing seven seconds ahead of France’s Mathis Azzaro and Switzerland’s Lars Forster.
Mathieu van der Poel’s Tough Comeback
All eyes were on Dutch superstar Mathieu van der Poel as he returned to the mountain bike World Cup scene after a three-year hiatus. Unfortunately, his comeback took a sharp downturn. Within the first few laps of the elite men’s XCO race, van der Poel suffered two crashes, one on the start lap, colliding with BH Coloma’s David Valero and another on the jumps early on lap 3.
Despite showing determination, he was forced to abandon the race during the 3rd lap. The incident was a reminder of the technical demands of modern World Cup courses. Is it becoming harder for riders to switch between different disciplines?
Elite Women’s Cross-Country (XCO): Mitterwallner’s Dramatic Victory
In the women’s XCO race, Mona Mitterwallner of Mondraker Factory Racing XC claimed a dramatic victory, narrowly outpacing New Zealand’s Samara Maxwell in a tight sprint finish. Maxwell’s final lap push was disrupted by course debris, while South Africa’s Candice Lill secured third place. Early leader and short track winner Puck Pieterse suffered a mechanical issue in the third lap, finishing 13th.
Short Track (XCC) Highlights: Blevins and Pieterse Dominate
The short track events saw Christopher Blevins and Puck Pieterse emerge victorious in their respective elite races. Blevins overcame a dropped chain in the final lap to secure his third consecutive XCC win, while Pieterse tactically advanced through the pack to clinch the women’s title, ending Evie Richards’ unbeaten World Cup streak.
Looking Ahead: Leogang Austria, Hosts the Next Round
The 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues next week with Round 7 in Saalfelden Leogang, Austria, from 6-8th June. This event marks the season’s first super event, featuring all major disciplines: Cross-Country Olympic (XCO), Cross-Country Short Track (XCC), Downhill (DHI), and Enduro (EDR).
Leogang, renowned for its challenging trails and vibrant atmosphere, promises an action-packed weekend. The Bikepark Leogang will host the races, offering a mix of technical descents and demanding climbs that will test the world’s best riders. Can Christopher Blevins and Mona Mitterwallner continue their winning streak?